[RonBin]

I have just finished digging up my potatoes and my question is, is it best to cover the plot now and leave it until next spring thus reducing the weeds, or is it best to leave it uncovered and deal with the weeds later?

Regards,

RonBin

[Lardman]

You could squeeze a green manure sowing in there if you don't have any follow crops.

[Yorkie]

I wouldn't just cover it, but if you do leave it fallow then keep on top of the weeds - otherwise they'll become established and a nuisance to the rest of your plot as well as your neighbours.

[allotmentann]

From what I have read it is not a particularly good idea just to leave your soil bare - nutrients drain away and weeds grow, so I think either try and grow a green manure crop as Lardman suggests or cover it (with something 'breathable'). The only times I have read of benefits to just leaving the ground bare have been to do with breaking up clay soil and allowing the frost to break down the clods over winter. But there are lots of green manures that can be sown now, including those that will survive the frosts and be ready to dig in next spring giving next years crops a better start.

[yorky]

Plus one for the greenmanure advice. have a look at this site, http://www.greenmanure.co.uk/ There is everything you need to know on there.

[angelavdavis]

Oooh I couldn't bear to leave a bed vacant at this time of year - why not squeeze in some salad crops or french beans?  Alternatively, a lot of people put leeks in to follow potatoes to over-winter.

[compostqueen]

I planted leeks wherever I could cram them in yesterday    It's only July so there's time for lots of stuff yet

Study the back of your seeds packets 

[Growster...]

Oooh I couldn't bear to leave a bed vacant at this time of year - why not squeeze in some salad crops or french beans?  Alternatively, a lot of people put leeks in to follow potatoes to over-winter.

Oh yes, Angela!

Plenty of time to get a quickie sowing in now - well worth the 'risk' of a few seeds, although a few quid is not always a welcome bet on the housekeeping...

[Growster...]

I planted leeks wherever I could cram them in yesterday    It's only July so there's time for lots of stuff yet

Study the back of your seeds packets 

Yer right about shoving leeks in CQ!

They'll all love this weather, and will be the stars come January!

I'd have done it too, but my seedlings were put to bed a few weeks ago!

Hurt one seriously  today during hoeing - devastated...:o(

He was No 2, Row three, bed !0, and has 179 brothers and sisters. There'll be a memorial service in September, just in case he/she survives...

[RonBin]

Thank you for all your kind advice. My allotment is 60x30 and is full of very heavy clay soil so a grdeen manure which will break down the clay and supress weeds would be a great advantage! The plot is broken down into three sections into which I rotate varous crops each year and my idea is to plant a green manure as soon as each section is empty.; this of course means I will need a manure that will over winter.

Any ideas or suggestions please??

Regards,

Ron